#1 New York Times BestsellerAn Amazon Best Book of 2020A thrilling and addictive new novel–a prequel to The Pillars of the Earth–set in England at the dawn of a new era: the Middle Ages“Just as transporting as [The Pillars of the Earth] . . . A most welcome addition to the Kingsbridge series.” –The Washington PostIt is 997 CE, the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh … the end of the Dark Ages. England is facing attacks from the Welsh in the west and the Vikings in the east. Those in power bend justice according to their will, regardless of ordinary people and often in conflict with the king. Without a clear rule of law, chaos reigns.
In these turbulent times, three characters find their lives intertwined. A young boatbuilder’s life is turned upside down when the only home he’s ever known is raided by Vikings, forcing him and his family to move and start their lives anew in a small hamlet where he does not fit in. . . . A Norman noblewoman marries for love, following her husband across the sea to a new land, but the customs of her husband’s homeland are shockingly different, and as she begins to realize that everyone around her is engaged in a constant, brutal battle for power, it becomes clear that a single misstep could be catastrophic. . . . A monk dreams of transforming his humble abbey into a center of learning that will be admired throughout Europe. And each in turn comes into dangerous conflict with a clever and ruthless bishop who will do anything to increase his wealth and power.
Thirty years ago, Ken Follett published his most popular novel, The Pillars of the Earth. Now, Follett’s masterful new prequel The Evening and the Morning takes us on an epic journey into a historical past rich with ambition and rivalry, death and birth, love and hate, that will end where The Pillars of the Earth begins.
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Finally, we get to the very beginning of that magical time that Ken Follett is able to transport us to! Wonderful beginning to a magical journey back in time to where it all began! I loved this book.The Evening and the Morning
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED! This book has supplanted World Without End’s position of 2nd favorite in the Kingsbridge series. Pillars of the Earth will always be first.
The Evening and the Morning is a worthy prequel to Pillars of the Earth and features immediately likeable characters that were a delight to spend time with for 913 pages. I even wished for more. Follett follows his usual theme of characters who are kind, honorable, and smart being pitted against characters who are evil and ignorant. And though Bishop Wynstan was no Bishop Waleran, he was crafty and a worthy villain.
Edgar was a fantastic hero, kind and brilliant. Ragna competes with previous heroines, being equally awesome as Alienna and Caris. The monk Aldred was remniscent of Prior Philip, but much sweeter and dare I say, a little more humble.
This book also excelled past others in the series of having some unforgettable side characters, like Blod, Mildred, Brindle the dog, and others.
There was a little queer rep, with both gay and lesbian characters, and an incident where a woman got two husbands that made me grin with the way it went down.
Follett also delivers on his promise of a happy ending, with the villains getting what they deserve and the heroes being rewarded.
It wasn’t up to his earlier books. It was entertaining to a point. But it was predictable.
Love Ken Follett
If you have enjoyed Follett’s other historic fiction novels, you will love this one!
Full of historic detail as always, great character building and a page turner as I finished this lengthy novel in less than two weeks.
Norse barbarians pillaging from the east…
Welsh raiders attacking from the west…
A Norman noblewoman trapped in a strange land…
…lured by a tyrannical family.
An English boatbuilder forced to flee his home…
…and make a new life in a village bound in conspiracy.
The Evening and Morning is the prequel to Kellen Follet’s masterful Pillars of the Earth trilogy. Watch bent bishops conspire to rob their King, powerful brothers plots to murder their kin, and forbidden love entangle the classes.
Will selfish temptation thwart honest endeavors to bring prosperity and justice to a corrupt, backwater hamlet, or will the good go unpunished for their well-intentioned deeds?
Once again, Ken Follet beautifully blends factual history and fictional adventure through the perilous lives of common and uncommon people attempting to forge their way out of the Dark Ages.
Scoundrels, Viking, romance, and rage await you within Ken Follet’s The Evening and the Morning
For adult audiences only
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I loved Follett’s Kingsbridge series and was looking forward to this one. I was a bit disappointed. The plot seemed less substantial than the other books and although I enjoyed it, it did not have the power of the others in the series.
It makes me want to reread the other three in chronological order.
Historical fiction at its best …
Highly recommended
Classic Follett. Great strong woman character, and as always a likable monk. While I realize how awful women were treated back then, I wish he had written less violence on women. It seemed each chapter had something to make me cringe. But for this I would have given it 5 stars.